In a major development, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially announced the 18-member Test squad for the upcoming home series against South Africa. The decision has stirred intense debate among fans, as rising opener Saim Ayub was dropped while experienced batter Imam-ul-Haq earned a spot in the squad. Captain Shan Masood has been retained as Pakistan’s Test skipper.
Why Imam-ul-Haq Was Preferred Over Saim Ayub
Saim Ayub, who missed the West Indies series due to injury, was expected to return for the South Africa Tests after his participation in the Asia Cup 2025. However, the selectors opted for Imam, citing Saim’s poor returns in red-ball cricket.
- Saim Ayub’s Test Record
- Matches: 8
- Innings: 14
- Runs: 364
- Average: 26
- 50s/100s: 3/0
Despite his potential, Saim has struggled to convert starts into big scores, averaging just 24.5 in his last two series against England and South Africa. His recent Asia Cup 2025 form was also disappointing, where he managed only 37 runs in seven innings at an average of 5.29, exposing weaknesses against spin.
- Imam-ul-Haq’s Home Test Record
- Matches: 7
- Innings: 14
- Runs: 814
- Average: 62.62
- 50s/100s: 4/3
In contrast, Imam has an excellent track record in home conditions, averaging over 62 with three centuries and four half-centuries in Pakistan. His ability to play long innings and counter spin makes him a reliable option for the selectors.
What This Means for Pakistan
With Babar Azam and Shan Masood still searching for consistency, Imam-ul-Haq’s inclusion provides Pakistan with stability at the top of the order. Alongside Abdullah Shafique, Saud Shakeel, Agha Salman, and Mohammad Rizwan, Imam could be key in tackling South Africa’s world-class pace and spin attack.
The series will not only test Pakistan’s batting depth but also Shan Masood’s leadership skills as he continues to shape the team in a crucial phase of Test cricket.
For further updates and detailed squad information, visit ESPNCricinfo, Geo News, and [Dawn Sports](https://www.dawn.com/news/sp)
